How easy/difficult is it to cross the border to/from NY/Canada?
 

I have a 2-day event to attend at the University of Buffalo at Amherst this summer and we were going to stay in Niagara Falls, NY and drive to Buffalo (1/2 hour I believe). But lately I've been wondering if it would be nicer (scenery from hotel - wise) to stay on the Canadian side and drive to UB. <BR><BR>How long does it take to cross the border? <BR>Is there usually alot of traffic? <BR><BR>Suggestions of moderate $ hotels would also be helpful.<BR><BR>Happy Travels!<BR>

My family crossed the NY/Canada border just last month.<BR>We were concerned that it would be timely. We were fully prepared with kid's birth certificates, pictures, & picture i.d.s.<BR>The crossing turned out to be completely uneventful. <BR>(We were a family in a minivan, all blonde, blue eyed, no doubt our sons were ours.) They asked us each time we crossed "where are you from", "how long will you be in Canada (or the US)", "are you bringing in anything with you", etc. The standard questions.<BR>We were somewhat surprised that we were not asked for any identification.<BR>It was no big deal. Good luck. <BR>

Generally, the crossing is pretty easy. The guards do randomly pull over cars for an extensive search (it happened to me once). I don't know if they're doing more searching since Sep. 11.

The border crossing can be time consuming in the summer. there is much more traffic then. Pre-9/11, border traffic and summer road work could add 15-25 minutes to a trip from Niagara Falls to Amherst. right now, border crossing are fairly smooth, except during rush hours, holiday weekends. The talk is that the lines will be much longer in the summer so you might have to plan on an hour or so or more. It is cheaper to stay in canada-the US dollar goes far, you get about $3 canadian for $2.00 US. there are several nice hotels near UB-Marriott, Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, University Inn (a local hotel, but nice, good dining), Motel 6 and Super 8. Also, Along Niagara Falls Boulevard (which stretches from buffalo, throught Amherst and to Niagara Falls, there are various hotels, from trash to nice. there is a nice extended stay and Holiday in that would be a good location. 5 minutes from UB and 20 minutes down Niagara Falls Boulevard to Niagara Falls. Don't ovelook buffalo-great art musuem, great nightlife on chippewa Street, in downtown buffalo. In the summer there are cruise nights that are fun-watching cars and people

Hi Ei - If you have an event at UB than I would safely say that the Canadian Boarder is about 35-40 minutes away. Living in upstate New York myself, I would say stay on the American side of the boarder, but you will get (as they say) more bang for your buck in Canada. Our Money is worth much more there and you can get bargins galore. There are plenty of hotels on the Canadian side of the falls.<BR><BR>A visit to Niagra on the Lake is a must see. It is beautiful and quaint.<BR><BR>There is hardly any wait crossing the boarder. Be polite and yes sir, no mam and you will ease by.<BR><BR>Enjoy, my son went to UB for his first two years of college and then transfered.

We are staying at NOTL. The plan so far is to stay at Letchworth State Park for 2 nights, then the Special Olympics in Buffalo - haven't figured out where we are staying yet - then to NOTL, maybe a night it Toronto and then back to NYC.<BR><BR>Thanks for the feedback...keep it coming.<BR><BR>

I make the trip frequently from LI to Buffalo since my daughter is graduating from UB this year. I loved our stay at Letchworth. I have made many trips back and forth across the border, as well as from the Michigan border through Canada to Buffalo, and there is such a wide range of time that it can take. During the summer, I'd expect longer lines getting across, but not terrible. I wouldn't cut it too close time wise though. I once missed half of my daughter's game due to long lines and being one of those that they randomly pulled over! [blonde, blue eyed, and retired schoolteacher -- no racial profiling] I would still stay over at least one night in Canada, and I highly recommend the trip to Toronto for a night if possible. We loved the city. Oh, and one more thing about the border, at times we've needed to show just a license. Once we needed birth certificates or passports. Last time, even though we were pulled over, no one asked us coming or going for ID! Go figure.

Just my 2 cents.....get yourself a room in NF Ontario with a view. The drive to University of Buffalo is approximately 20 minutes (if you drive over the Rainbow Bridge). The Rainbow Bridge does not get a lot of truck traffic, just tourist traffic, so you should just speed along -especially if it's during the week. I can't help you with hotels...but the American$$$ goes a long way in Canada (do a search of the Canadian board). Summer is the busiest time in NF, but most visitors stay on the Canadian side and don't venture over to New York....so that particular bridge should be free and clear....... Have fun!!!